Launching devices



Feb 19, 1963 G. M. RICHTER LUNCHING DEVICES Filed Aug. l2, 1960 INVENTOR. GU/VTHER M. /P/CHTER BY A TroRA/E Y United States Patent hice BTi Patented Feb. i9, 1h53 3,77,S75 LAUNCH-UNG DEVICES Gunther M. Richter, RFD. ll, Brookfield, Conn. Filed Aug. 12, 196i), Ser. No. 49,342 2 Clairns. (Cl. 124-13) This invention relates to amusement apparatus and, more particularly, to a device for launching a projectile such as a toy rocket.

Many dev-ices have heretofore been proposed for propelling miniature projectiles. However, each of these devices has been characterized by certain shortcomings. For example, one class of launching devices employs mechanical actuators such :as springs for imparting the required force to a projectile. Devices such as this are unnecessarily complex and are `subject to mechanical difiiculties.

A second class :of devices utilizes small explosive charges. The height to which projectiles will ascend when actuated by small charges is limited. More etlective charges are dangerous to children and, in any event, are difcult to obtain.

A third class yof devices, to which this invention belongs, includes those actuated by compressed air. A familiar type of launcher employs a compressed yair chamber having a detachable head serving as a projectile, a hand operated piston, and a mechanical check valve. The piston is pumped until sufficient pressure is built up to launch the projectile. The primary drawback to such devices is the fact that the check valve is easily disabled-for example, by dirt entering the mechanism.

Another disadvantage of piston-operated devices generally is that the pistons are relatively short in comparison with their length of movement. This results in a poor air se-al due to the short leakage distance between the compression chamber and the atmosphere. The short length also contributes to mechanical misalignment and distortion, especially when operated by small children lacking in a high degree of manual dexterity and coordination.

One device which attempts to remove the disadvantages of piston-type compressors employs a pair of telescopically associated tubes, the innermost tube having a detachable projectile on its outer end. This type of device is severely limited in the amount tot compression obtainable as the smallest volume to which the air can be compressed is the volume of the inner tube. Such a device can seldom propel a projectile higher than approximately 25 feet.

A further disadvantage of all the foregoing devices is that they vare constructed to be operable by both hands `of the user. lt is thus quite diillult for a child to control the direction 4in which the projectile is propelled as he normally lacks suliicient strength to keep the device pointed in the desired direction while simultaneously compressing the contained air.

it is, therefore, the primary lobject of the present invention to provide an improved launching device.

A further object is to provide such a device having no mechanical or explosive actuating members.

A further object is to provide such a device capable of propelling an object t-o greater heights than devices hererotore known.

A further object is to provide such ya device capable of compressing the contained air to very small volumes.

A further object is to provide such a device having very few moving parts.

A further object is to provide such a device which is not subject to misalignment or distortion.

A further object is to provide `such a device which can be easily kept aimed at a desired point in space during the compression stroke.

A further `object is to provide such a device wherein the leakage path between the compressed air and the atmosphere is quite long.

The above objects are achieved by providing an elongated tube lopen at both ends, an elongated piston longitudinally slideable within the tube, the nonengaged end of the piston being adapted to rest upon the ground during the launching operation, anda projectile detachably supported by the nonengaged end of the tube.

The manner in which this invention is constructed will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the figures yof the attached drawing wherein:

HG. l .is a cross-sectional elevational View of the de- Vice in the telescoped position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the device extended for lthe beginning ofthe compression stroke;

FiG. 3 is an elevational View showing the device partially telescoped land the projectile leaving the end; and

FIG. 4 is Va cross-sectional plan taken along the line 4F@ of FIG. 3.

In the drawings, en inner tube llil is closed at its upper end by 'a suitable stopper l2 to form a long compression piston. The lower end of tube 10 is closed by a cap 14 which circumferentially surrounds the lower portion of tube lil. An outer tube 16, open at both ends, tits snugly but slideably over tube lil. Tube le is surmounted by a detach-able toy rocket having a hollow body portion 1S Iand guide tins 20.

in operation, the tubes are extended and the rocket 18 is placed over the upper end of tube 16. The lower end of tube l@ is placed against the ground to provide a irm base for aiming purposes. The extended launcher is aimed toward a point in space and the outer tube is moved rapidly downward over inner tube lil.

It has been found preferable to grasp 'the outer tube i6 together with rocket body 18 so as to prevent relative motion between the outer tube and rocket body during the compression stroke. In this way, extremely high pressures may be built up between stopper l2 and rocket 18.

When a suitable pressure has been attained, rocket body iii may be released. An intriguing popping sound is made and the rocket soars rapidly to extreme heights.

As an example of this invention, a device of this type was constructed using heavy cardboard tubes. The inside diameter of the outer tube was 1%@ inches. The inner tube was 4() inches in length and the outer tube was 4l inches in length. Upon compression in the manner described, a light plastic rocket was propelled vertically upward approximately feet. In order to rest upon the ground, it has been found desirable to make the inner tube at least 30 inches in length.

The provision of a hollow body in the rocket projectile is `also useful in attaining greater heights. At the instant the rocket leaves the end of tube 16, body 18 is lled with compressed air. Expansion 4of this air from the tail of the rocket provides a jet propulsive thrust in addition to the initial launching force.

As a further help in attaining altitude, the ends of rocket iins Zi? are bent in .the manner shown in FIGS. l-3. This causes the rocket to spiral in the manner of a projectile leaving a rilled barrel. A considerable increase in height has been found possible using this fin congurfation.

The primary purpose of cap 11tis to provide a surface for supporting the launcher against the earth. Cap 14 yalso serves to protect the end ot tube lil from damage and, when in the form illustrated, the circumferential shoulder prevents tube 1t? from being completely inserted in tube 16.

It will be understood that `the device of this invention may be made from any suitable material. More durable but more expensive devices could be constructed of metal or plastic tubes, for example.

I claim:

4 being adapted to t the non-engaged end of said outer tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said piston has at its unengaged second end a circumferential shoulder 1. An amusement apparatus for launching a projectile 5 on its outer surface.

which comprises: an elongated cylindrical outer tube open at both ends: elongated cylindrical tubular piston means having a iirst closed end, said first end being longitudinally slidable within said outer tube, substantially the entire cylindrical outer surface of Said piston means being simul 10 taneously engageable with substantially the entire inner surface of said outer tube, the non-engaged second end of said piston means being adapted to rest upon the ground during the launching operation; and a hollow substantially cylindrical projectile closed at its rst end and open at its second end, said open end of said projectile References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 990,228 Cohrs Apr. 25, 1911 1,171,197 Harmon Feb. 8, 1916 1,214,797 Kleinfeldt Feb. 6, 1917 2,315,242 Briggs et al. Mar. 30, 1943 2,443,395 Lutins June 15, 1948 2,449,187 Walters Sept. 14, 1948 15 2,521,135 stark et ai. sept. 5, 195o 

1. AN AMUSEMENT APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING A PROJECTILE WHICH COMPRISES: AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL OUTER TUBE OPEN AT BOTH ENDS: ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR PISTON MEANS HAVING A FIRST CLOSED END, SAID FIRST END BEING LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLE WITHIN SAID OUTER TUBE, SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE CYLINDRICAL OUTER SURFACE OF SAID PISTON MEANS BEING SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE INNER SURFACE OF SAID OUTER TUBE, THE NON-ENGAGED SECOND END OF SAID PISTON MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO REST UPON THE 